During the past five years, I have been on both sides of the fence when it comes to building contractors and repairmen. I have known the joy of seeing through a project that was completed on time and on budget, as well as the unfortunate experience of taking a company to court for their sheer incompetence and sloppiness.

Reaching a conclusion based on a sample of one is a dreadful way to assess a situation. Therefore, I was particularly thrilled with the opportunity to ask Canadians about their own experiences with contractors, as part of a joint project with BC CTV’s Steele On Your Side.

Year after year, Angus Reid Public Opinion asks Canadians about the level of respect for specific professions. Doctors, nurses, scientists and military officials are the perennial winners in this category, garnering respect from nine-in-ten respondents. Contractors are not as low as the bottom two professions—car salesmen and, yes, politicians—and rank slightly higher than bankers, lawyers and business executives.

The survey confirmed that Canada is a country of do-it-yourselfers. Only 37 per cent of respondents acknowledged that they had any repairs done in their home by an outside contractor. The proportion jumps to 49 per cent among those aged 55 and over, and 61 per cent in the most affluent demographic.

Evidently, one of the issues that affect Canadians looking for a contractor or repairman is the fact that they rely too much—in fact, 46 per cent of the time—on recommendations from friends. In addition, one-in-six modifications or repairs were actually executed by a personal friend.

Cost is another hindrance, with seven per cent of respondents saying that they simply went with the cheapest option available.

Home owners should always take specific steps before a contractor enters their home. Astonishingly, only about a quarter of Canadians who had work done took two important measures: receiving at least three quotes from contractors before making up their mind, and getting references from previous customers of the contractors.

Simply put, this means that three-in-four people chose to not figure out if somebody else was in a better position to deliver the job, and did not bother to check their previous performance.

Unwritten arrangements appear to be the norm, despite the fact that we call this group “contractors”. Only 35 per cent of the Canadians who had work done in their homes actually entered into a contract. This is a particularly worrisome trend, as it leaves both parties without a key document that outlines expectations, deliverables and a mechanism for dispute resolution.

Carelessness can only lead to trouble. Seven per cent of Canadians readily admit that an outside contractor damaged their home, with one per cent having to go to court over an issue that was not resolved. From a quantitative standpoint, the proportion of cases that ultimately involve the legal system is low. But the agony caused by preparing for a case, filing documents, dealing with liens and seeking a resolution when things go wrong can be evaded, for the most part, by following three simple steps.

Knowing as much about the contractor and the work they have performed is very important, so seek references—especially for projects that involve structural or decorative features. Also, have three quotes handy, even if you will ultimately end up hiring a friend. And finally, always sign a contract that you are completely comfortable with, not just a quote for services that fails to address your concerns.

Signing a poorly written quote that masquerades as a contract is the quickest way to forego your rights. If you are not happy with the mechanism for dispute resolution outlined by your contractor, look for another one. You should always be in a position to protect yourself and your money.

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